Thursday, December 15, 2011

Inspired by Pinterest

Yikes! It has been forever since I posted on this blog. I really need to get my act together! Now that all my Christmas cards are made (but not in the mail yet, I need to work on that tonight), I have had some time to play around with My Digital Studio. I was inspired by a picture I had pinned on Pinterest. Its about time I got around to making something I had pinned!





The numbers are the birth dates of myself and my husband, our wedding date, and the birth dates of our two boys.  My plan is to put this in a frame in the collage of frames on my bedroom wall. I chose Baja Breeze paper for the background so it would coordinate with the room. It is so easy to use MDS to make custom artwork like this. You can adapt this idea based on the number of children in the family and make it in any color scheme you wish. This would also be a nice gift for a couple on their wedding day with just the bride and groom's birth dates and the wedding date. Having a framed reminder of these important dates might be a good idea for the groom to have around the house!

I can choose to print it on my home printer, take it to the office supply store to be printed, or get it printed via SU's professional printing service. I am in a hurry to see the finished product but I don't have the best color printer in the world so I think I will use the office supply store option. Stay tuned for a picture of the completed project in place on the wall.











Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Christmas Card of the Week

My Christmas card of the week features the Bright Hopes stamp set from the Holiday mini along with the terrific Hello Doily background stamp. I love the detail in the background set and the elegance of the Pewter embossing powder.

I actually made about 60 card fronts such as this one for the Stampin' Up! regional conference in Charlotte NC last month! I have never made so many of the same card before. Whew!

Stamping Vogue Tips:
  • Cut the round shape using the Perfect Pennants die. The decorative holes around the edge provide the perfect place to insert some of the soft seam binding ribbon. You can use just a small piece of ribbon to make a bow as I did here or weave the ribbon through all the holes and then tie a bow on top.
  • The lovely images in the Bright Hopes set are perfect for embossing. Here I used the Pewter embossing powder from the Holiday mini catalog but the Cherry Cobbler powder would be lovely as well.
  • A couple of snips with your scissors are all it takes to add the flagged ends to the sentiment. Use your bone folder to curl the strip slightly, then attach each end with a glue dot so that the center of the banner is raised slightly off the card.

Supplies:
  • Stamp Sets - Bright Hopes (W 122690, C 122692), Hello Doily (122845)
  • Ink - Cherry Cobbler (119669), Versamark (102283)
  • Card Stock - Old Olive (100702), Cherry Cobbler (119685), Whisper White (100730)
  • Tools - Perfect Pennants die (123126)
  •  Accessories - Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon (120992), Pewter Stampin' Emboss Powder (124114)



Keep on stamping!
Sue

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Halloween Treats


At a recent workshop, I demonstrated this adorable little matchbox. This is my favorite of the Big Shot dies. I love whipping up these cute little gifts. Add one to a child's lunchbox or leave one on a co-worker's desk to brighten their day!





Stamping Vogue Tips:
  • A 1"x3" strip of paper fits perfectly around the candy.
  • Use a marker to color the adorable jack-o-lanterns. (Love the mustaches!)
  • Choose one of the terrific patterns from the Frightful Sight paper pack to make the box cover.
  • Tie on some cute ribbon to complete the look!

Supplies:
  • Stamp Set - Out On a Limb (W123822 , C 123824)
  • Ink - Basic Black (101179), Cajun Craze marker ()
  • Card Stock - Basic Black (121045), Cajun Craze (119678), Whisper White (100730)
  • Designer Series Paper - Frightful Sight (122351)
  • Accessories - Basic Black Scallop Dots Ribbon (124145)
  • Tools - Matchbox die (114890), 1-3/8" Circle punch (119860), 1-1/4" Circle punch (119861), 1-3/4" Scallop Circle punch (119854)

Keep on stamping!
Sue

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Christmas Card of the Week

Today's card is quick and easy but elegant. I cased this card from a fellow demo, Emma Fewkes. I changed up the colors and added an embossed layer.
Stamping Vogue Tips:
  • Add a bit of shimmer with a strip of Brushed Gold paper.
  • Accent the wreath with several basic pearls.

Supplies:
  • Stamp Sets - Bright Hopes (W 122690, C 122692)
  • Ink - Cherry Cobbler (119669)
  • Card Stock - Always Artichoke (102584), Cherry Cobbler (119685), Whisper White (100730), Brushed Gold (102935)
  • Tools -2-3/8" Scallop Circle punch (118874), Snow Burst Embossing Folder (124096), Lace Ribbon Border punch (122362)
  •  Accessories - Basic Pearls (119247)


Keep on stamping!
Sue

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Mini Cards

Today's card is tiny but beautiful. At a recent workshop, I gave away a set of these 3x3 note cards as a door prize. They were well-received by the recipient. I hope she enjoys using them as much as I enjoyed making them!

This size card makes a perfect gift enclosure. You can cut 8 of these cards from a single sheet of 12x12 paper. They fit perfectly in the mini square envelopes.


Stamping Vogue Tips:
  • Details matter on these sweet little cards - make an embossed frame for the focal image using the Designer Frames embossing folder.
  • Pull a thread in the seam binding ribbon to gather it softly. I find that Sticky Strip holds the ribbon best after gathering.
  • Add a tiny tag with a touch of linen thread tied in a bow.

Supplies:
  • Stamp Set - Kindness Matters (W 122900, C 122902), En Francais (109521). Tiny Tags (W 118091, C 118592)
  • Ink - Cherry Cobbler (119669), Early Expresso (119670), Soft Suede (115657), Crumb Cake (121030)
  • Card Stock - Regals 12x12 Textured Card stock (121076), Very Vanilla (101650), Mini Square Envelopes (107309)
  • Accessories - Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon (120992), Basic Pearls (119247), Linen Thread (104199)
  • Tools - Designer Frames Embossing Folder (123130), Sponge Daubers (102892), Blender Pens (102845), Jewelry Tag punch (117190), Extra-Large Oval Punch (119859), Sticky Strip (104294)
Keep on stamping!
Sue


Thursday, September 22, 2011

Easy 15 Minute Wedding Card


Today's card is one of the choices at my Card Buffet event coming up on Sunday. The black and white color scheme is elegant enough for any wedding but this design could easily be customized to use the bride's wedding colors. Best of all, you can whip this card up in 15 minutes or less.

This card is one of 12 different designs available this Sunday's stamping event. Click here for more details and to RSVP!


Stamping Vogue Tips:
  • Let the Big Shot do the work by die-cutting and embossing the white layer.
  • Punches also make this card quick and easy - no careful alignment of the stamping needed. Just stamp, then punch for perfect results every time.
  • Add classic embellishments to this elegant card with satin ribbon and a carefully placed, single rhinestone.

Supplies:
  • Stamp Sets - Word Play (W 120308, C 120651)
  • Ink - Basic Black (101179)
  • Card Stock - Basic Black (121045), Whisper White (100730)
  • Tools - Top Note Die (113463), Extra-Large Oval punch (119859), Decorative Label punch (120907), Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder (120175)
  •  Accessories - Basic Rhinestones (119246), 5/8" Basic Black Satin Ribbon (117285)


Keep on stamping!
Sue

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Christmas Card of the Week

 This card uses more of the terrific products from the Holiday mini catalog. I love the mini jingle bells that actually jingle.

Stamping Vogue Tips:
  • Add a little texture with the new Snow Burst Embossing Folder.
  • Use the tag from the Two Tags die to add a background layer and frame the sentiment.
  • Add some sparkle to the toes and cuffs of the stockings with Dazzling Details. (Click on the photo to make it larger.)

Supplies:
  • Stamp Sets - Stitched Stockings (W 123782, C 123784), Perfect Punches (W 117022, C 120516)
  • Ink - Real Red (103133), Garden Green (102272)
  • Card Stock - Real Red (102482), Garden Green (102584), Whisper White (100730)
  • Tools - Stocking Builder punch (124095), Snow Burst Embossing Folder (124096), 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch (119854), 1-3/8" Circle punch (119860), Two Tags die (115954)
  •  Accessories - Mini Jingle Bells (124116), Dazzling Details (124117)

Keep on stamping!
Sue

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Christmas Card of the Week

Just a simple Christmas card today. I originally made this card without the embossed layer and it just looked blah. Adding the embossed layer stepped it up just enough.
Stamping Vogue Tips:
  • Use a square punch to quickly notch the bottom of the banner layer. I used the Postage Stamp punch.
  • Stamp the image once in Real Red and once in Old Olive. Use the circle punch to punch out the center of the Old Olive image and layer it on the Real Red punched image.

Supplies:
  • Stamp Sets - Perfect Punches (W 117022, C 120516)
  • Ink - Real Red (103133), Old Olive (102277)
  • Card Stock - Sahara Sand (121043), Real Red (102482), Old Olive (100702), Whisper White (100730)
  • Tools - Scallop Circle Punch (119854), Scallop Trim border punch (118402), 1-3/8" Circle punch (119860)
  •  Accessories - White Baker's Twine (124262)



Keep on stamping!
Sue

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Wicked Cool Halloween

I love cute Halloween images. These pointy witch's shoes are too cute! I have to admit that I don't like the creepy stuff too much. I don't send a lot of Halloween cards but I do love making them. I am more likely to make fun treat holders - more on that later in the week.



Stamping Vogue Tips:
  • Wheel stamps make great borders! Ink one up on your next card.
  • Layered punches substitute for the witch's torso.

Supplies:
  • Stamp Sets - Wicked Cool (W 118738, C 120600)
  • Ink - Basic Black 101179(), Rich Razzleberry (115658), Old Olive (102277)
  • Card Stock - Basic Black (121045), Cajun Craze(119684), Rich Razzleberry(115316), Old Olive (100702)
  • Tools - Scallop Oval punch (119856), 1-3/8" Circle punch (119860), 1-1/4" Circle punch (119861), 1/2" Circle punch (119869), 3/4" Circle punch (119873)
  •  Accessories - Basic Black 1/4" Taffeta Ribbon (119261)
Keep on stamping!
Sue

Monday, September 5, 2011

Christmas Card of the Week

The Holiday mini catalog has some terrific new products including this stamp set and ribbon.

Stamping Vogue Tips:
  • Stamp your own background. Use tone on tone ink to achieve a subtle effect.
  • Save on ribbon by using multiple small pieces instead of one large length. No need to use up ribbon that would be behind the large panel.
  • Accent the center of the tree using a large pearl.

Supplies:
  • Stamp Sets - Bright Hopes (W 122690, C 122692)
  • Ink - Always Artichoke (105219), Cherry Cobbler (119669)
  • Card Stock - Always Artichoke (102584), Cherry Cobbler (119685), Very Vanilla (101650)
  • Tools - Scallop Trim border punch (118402)
  •  Accessories - Basic Pearls (119247), Cherry Cobbler 3/8" Quilted Satin Ribbon(124105)



Keep on stamping!
Sue

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Pennant Parade Banner

Today's card is a more traditional use of the Pennant Parade set. This card is a CASE of a cute card by a fellow demonstrator, Krista Fenton. I used her layout with a different color combination.



Stamping Vogue Tips:
  • These fun pennants make a cute banner for a variety of occasions. They can spell out a name or initials or you can embellish them with a sentiment and buttons as shown here.
  • Choose a color scheme that suits the recipient or the occasion.
  • Add twine bows to reinforce the illusion of a banner.

Supplies:
  • Stamp Sets - Pennant Parade (W 122740, C 122742)
  • Ink - Rich Razzleberry (115658), Tempting Turquoise (100814), Pumpkin Pie (105216)
  • Card Stock - Rich Razzleberry (115316), Tempting Turquoise (102067), Pumpkin Pie (105117), Whisper White (100730)
  • Tools - Perfect Polka Dots Embossing folder (117335), Petite Pennants Builder punch (122361)
  • Accessories - White Baker's Twine (124262) Brights Designer Buttons (119747)



Keep on stamping!
Sue

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Good-bye Summer Mini!

Even though we are definitely still in the dog days of summer here in Georgia, it is time to say good-bye to the Summer mini catalog and prepare to  say hello to the holidays.

August 31 is the last day to order from the summer catalog. Order your favorites now while they are still available.

Here are my favorite samples from this summer.
Bold Blossom stamp set, Beyond the Garden DSP, Blossom Bouquet punch



The Open Sea stamp set


Pretty Postage stamp set, Postage Stamp punch


Bold Blossom stamp set, Blossom Bouquet punch


Travel Log stamp set and Nautical Expedition DSP

Strength & Hope stamp set

The Open Sea stamp set
Land of the Free ala carte stamp, The Open Sea stamp set and Nautical Expedition DSP
Stamping Vogue Tips:
  • The Open Sea stamp set and Nautical Expedition designer series paper are to die for. But they were not carried over into the 2011-2012 catalog. Get them now before they are gone!
  • The Travel Log stamp set is a great set for scrapbooking vacation photos.
  • Land of the Free is perfect for cards honoring our military or expressing your patriotism.
  • Stampin' Up! is supporting breast cancer research with a $2 donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) for every sale of the Strength & Hope stamp set through August 31.

Keep on stamping!
Sue

Friday, August 26, 2011

Christmas in August

Beginning now, I need to make a few Christmas cards a week in order to be ready to send them in early December. I have good intentions now. Let's see if I follow through or whether I am pulling an all-nighter to get them done in December!

Here is my Christmas card for this week. It uses the Pennant Parade stamp set. I love that this set can be used for multiple things. Of course, it makes adorable pennant banners on a card but it can also be used as Christmas trees. The set includes the tree base as well as the stars.


Stamping Vogue Tips:
  • Liven up your background using the Hello Doily, stamped in a monochromatic shade of ink.
  • Add interest to the main image panel by using the larger pennant for the the center tree and popping it up with a dimensional.
  • Use punches to make quick work of lining up your sentiments.

Supplies:
  • Stamp Sets - Pennant Parade (W 999999, C 122742), Hello Doily (W 122845), Teeny Tiny Wishes (W 115370)
  • Ink - Old Olive (102277), Real Red(103133), Chocolate Chip (100908)
  • Card Stock - Old Olive (100702), Real Red (102482), Whisper White (100730)
  • Tools - Petite Pennants Builder punch (122361), Scallop Trim Border punch (118402), Modern Label punch (119849), Word Window punch (119857), 1/2" Circle punch (119869)
Keep on stamping!
Sue

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Hello Doily

  Today I am sharing a card I made with my stamp club ladies last week. We focused on heat embossing at this meeting and made this beauty.

Stamping Vogue Tips:
  • Emboss your image with white embossing powder on white cardstock, then sponge away to reveal the design.
  • Begin lightly sponging in the center of the image then work toward the outer edges. Layer on the color until you reach the effect you are looking for.
  • Add some punched flowers to the center of the image and finish it off with some pearls.

Supplies:
  • Stamp Sets - Hello Doily (W 122845), Notably Ornate (W 117098, C120561)
  • Ink - Island Indigo (122937), Lucky Limeade(122935), Versamark(102283)
  • Card Stock - Island Indigo(122923), Lucky Limeade(122926), Whisper White (100730)) 
  • Tools - Modern Label Punch (119849), Boho Blossoms Punch (119858)
  •  Accessories - Basic Pearls (119247), Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon (122977), White Stampin' Emboss Powder (109132
Keep on stamping!
Sue

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Strength & Hope

Today's card is a CASE of a card I saw online. Unfortunately, I don't remember where, so I don't know who to give credit to.

The Strength & Hope stamp set shown here is only available until the end of the month. Click the Shop Online button on the right side to order from my online store.

Stamping Vogue Tips:
  • Mask off the right side of the card base. I like to use Post-it notes.
  • Stamp the leaves image from the My Friend stamp set using Versamark ink.
  • Emboss with clear embossing powder. Then sponge the colors before removing the mask.

Supplies:
  • Stamp Sets - Strength & Hope (W 118100, C 123660), My Friend (W 122585, C 122587)
  • Ink - Marina Mist (119668), Old Olive (102277)
  • Card Stock - Very Vanilla (101650)
  •  Accessories - Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder (109130), Marina Mist Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (119772)
Keep on stamping!
Sue

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Kindness Matters

I'm going vintage today with this pretty card. Lots of layers, texture, and sponging add that vintage charm. This was my swap card for a recent swap with a group of demonstrators.


Stamping Vogue Tips:
  • Use the new Designer Frames embossing folders to create a quick frame for your focal image. You can trim around the folder as I did for this card or emboss the frame directly on your card base.
  • When you are going for the vintage look, the En Francais background stamp is perfect for adding another layer of detail to the focal layer.
  • Use a blender pen to softly color the butterflies.
  • Emboss the Very Vanilla layer using the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder to add texture.
  • Sponge the edges of each layer using a sponge dauber.
  • Choose your embellishments to match the theme of your card. The soft seam binding ribbon is easy to tie and matches the soft, aged look. The Antique Brad and Basic Pearls are the finishing touch.

Supplies:
  • Stamp Set - Kindness Matters (W 122900, C 122902), En Francais (109521)
  • Ink - Marina Mist (119668), Early Expresso (119670), Soft Suede (115657), Crumb Cake (121030)
  • Card Stock - Marina Mist (119682), Crumb Cake (120953), Very Vanilla (101650)
  • Accessories - Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon (120999), Antique Brads (117273), Basic Pearls (119247)
  • Tools - Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder (120175), Lace Ribbon border punch (122362), Designer Frames Embossing Folder (123130), Sponge Daubers (102892), Blender Pens (102845), Boho Blossom punch (119858)
Keep on stamping!
Sue


Monday, August 1, 2011

Exciting August Special!

During August, you will get a FREE package of Designer Series Paper when you buy three! Use this limited-time offer to stock up on all your favorites, including brand-new designs from the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog.

Things to Remember
  • There is no limit to the number of free packages of Designer Series Paper a you can earn.
  • Designer Series Paper ordered in Hostess free does not qualify for the promotion.
  • Specialty Designer Series Paper and Hostess Designer Series Paper, are not part of this promotion and cannot be redeemed through this offer.
  • Click here to see all the details!

Sunday, July 31, 2011

It's a Wrap Occasions

One of my favorite Stampin' Up products has got to be the Matchbox die. The first time I saw this little box, it was love at first sight. Then someone showed me how 4 little Hershey's nuggets fit in it so perfectly and I just had to have it.  Now Stampin' Up has taken it one step further and created a stamp set that can be used to stamp wrappers for the candy! Fantastic!

A little box filled with chocolate is a great small gift for so many occasions and It's a Wrap Occasions has them all covered - thank you, birthday, wedding, baby, shower, get well soon, school. Take a look at the bottom of this post to see all the stamp images.



Stamping Vogue Tips:
  • These stamp images fit perfectly on Avery address labels. Just stamp directly on the label and wrap the label around the nugget.
  • Use a marker to ink just the sentiment from the stamp image to make a label for the top of the box.
  • Emboss the matchbox cover using the Square Lattice embossing folder to add texture.
  • Some flirty, ruffled ribbon adds the final touch to a quick gift.

Supplies:
  • Stamp Set - It's a Wrap Occasions (W 123590, C 123592)
  • Ink - Pool Party (122938), Soft Suede marker (120973)
  • Card Stock - Pool Party (122924), Soft Suede (115318), Whisper White (100730)
  • Accessories - Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon (122975)
  • Tools - Matchbox die (114890), 1-3/8" Circle punch (119860), 1-1/4" Circle punch (119861), Square Lattice Embossing folder (119976)


Keep on stamping!
Sue


Friday, July 29, 2011

My Friend

Today's card uses the wonderful new In Colors for 2011-2013. I particularly like Island Indigo - such a nice blue. The terrific large sentiment is from the My Friend stamp set. It really makes a statement on this card.




The leaves image was inked in Lucky Limeade and a sponge dauber was used to add Island Indigo to the edges of the image. Crystal Effects was used to add some shine and dimension to the raindrops. Just be sure to allow time for the Crystal Effects to dry (ask me how I know)!


Supplies:
  • Stamp Set - My Friend (W 122585, C 122587)
  • Ink - Lucky Limeade (122935), Island Indigo (122937)
  • Card Stock - Lucky Limeade (122926), Island Indigo(122923), Whisper White (100730)
  • Accessories - Crystal Effects (101055)
  • Tools - Sponge Daubers (102892)



Keep on stamping!
Sue


Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Delicate Doilies and Flirtatious Paper

This feminine card is one of the projects from my Stamp Club workshop last week. The Delicate Doilies stamp set and the Flirtatious designer series paper are made for one another. I love being able to snip a single doily from the 12x12 sheet and use it in a design. So easy and beautiful!




To form the card base, I used the instructions from Splitcoast Stampers for the Center Fold Card and the measurements from Diane (cookiestamper) to make it in an A2 (4-1/4"x5-1/2") size. This size will fit in a medium Stampin' Up envelope so it is easy to send to someone special!

Click here to order Stampin' Up! day or night!

Supplies:
  • Stamp Set - Delicate Doilies (W 122590, C 122592), Word Play (W 120308, C 120651)
  • Ink - Melon Mambo (115656), Pretty in Pink (101301)
  • Card Stock - Pretty in Pink (100459), Melon Mambo (115320), Whisper White (100730)
  • Designer Series Paper - Flirtatious (122360)
  • Accessories - Basic Pearls (119247), Whisper White 3/8" Taffeta ribbon (109070)

Keep on stamping!
Sue


Sunday, July 17, 2011

Hand Knit Gift Tags and Cards

My knitting guild had a fun event this month - Knito (bingo)! Everyone contributed prizes and we had a blast playing bingo with knitting terms in the bingo spaces. My contributions to the prizes were some sets of gift tags and cards using the Hand Knit stamp set. They were fun to make and well-received by the recipients.

Here is the set of gift tags. I packaged them in a co-ordinating box with a belly band. I included 12 tags in the box, 4 of each type. These are perfect to attach to a hand-knitted gift. The tags were cut with the Two Tags die and the 2-3/8" Scallop Circle punch.

Here is a closer picture of the tags so you can see how the teeny-tiny Basic Pearls make such cute buttons on the little sweater image.

The set of cards were also packaged in a hand-made box with a belly band. I included eight cards with envelopes - perfect for sending a note to a knitting buddy!

Click here to order Stampin' Up! day or night!

Supplies:
  • Stamp Set - Hand Knit (W 117012, C 120507)
  • Ink - Marina Mist (119668), Chocolate Chip (100908), Rich Razzleberry (115658)
  • Card Stock - Crumb Cake (120953), Chocolate Chip(102128), Whisper White (100730), Marina Mist (119682), Rich Razzleberry (115316), Old Olive (100702)
  • Tools - 2-3/8" Scallop Circle punch (118874), 1-3/4" Circle punch (119850), Blender Pen (102845), Two Tags die (115954), Small Heart punch (117193), Postage stamp punch (122344), 1-1/4" Circle punch (119861), Square Lattice Embossing folder (119976), 1-3/4" Scallop Circle punch (119854), Boho Blossoms punch (119858), 1-3/8" Circle punch (119860), Crop-A-Dile (108362)
  • Accessories - Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Dots ribbon (124142), Basic Pearls (119247), Whisper White 3/8" Taffeta ribbon (109070)

Keep on stamping!
Sue